The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

On 2 July 2009, the pilot of a Robinson Helicopter Company R22
Beta II, registered VH-OML, was conducting solo circuit training
from the Gold Coast Aerodrome, Queensland. Weather conditions in
the area at the time were fine, with light and variable winds.

At about 1015 Eastern Standard Time, the helicopter impacted
terrain near the southern aerodrome boundary. The pilot was fatally
injured and the helicopter seriously damaged.

There was no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical problem with
the helicopter. The pilot had extensive previous experience in
aeroplanes and the flight was his sixth solo helicopter flight
towards his Private Pilot (Helicopter) Licence. The investigation
found that the accident may have been a function of the pilot's
control inputs.

As a result of this investigation, the helicopter operator has
made a number of changes to their induction process, including the
annotation in company records of instructors' ratings and their
respective validity periods. In addition, the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority has advised that it will review the requirements for
initial pilot training and endorsement and recurrent training on
Robinson R22 helicopters. Included will be a review of the
Helicopter Flight Instructor's Manual to ensure that the required
competencies are being covered by flight instructors and trained to
students.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has issued a Safety
Advisory Notice suggesting that operators consider action to ensure
the validity of pilots' qualifications and ratings, and that
competency standards are met.